PASIGHAT, July 31: In view of sudden surge in COVID-19 cases in the district, the East Siang district administration has announced to impose a seven-day lockdown in Pasighat township and its rural peripheries, Ruksin sub-division and Sille-Oyan circle from August 1 to 7 to contain the spread of the virus.
Today, as many as 14 COVID-19 positive cases were detected in the district, including nine at Bakin Pertin General Hospital (BPGH), Pasighat with three of them being medical staff, three at the Point of Entry, Ruksin check gate (that included two truck drivers and a bank employee from Assam who was on his way to Aalo on transfer) and two cases confirmed from the quarantine facility.
With the addition of the fresh cases, the total number of confirmed cases in the district has gone up to 71. Till Thursday, East Siang had 57 positive cases, including 25 active and 32 discharged cases.
Following detection of the nine new cases, BPGH has been sealed to facilitate all its staff members to undergo rapid antigen tests for the COVID-19. However, its emergency services will remain open. Joint DHS, BPGH will start tele-medicine services.
Except for emergencies, inter-district and inter-state movement of people and vehicles will not be permitted. Agri-horti activities will be exempted from the purview of the weeklong lockdown.
All shops and markets will be closed though home delivery of essential goods will continue. Banks & ATMs, health facilities will function. Movement of people and vehicles other than essential services will not be allowed. Airport domestic flight services will also be suspended during the lockdown.
Apart from DC office, courts, Police, Health, Fire, Power & PHE departments, all Govt offices will operate through ‘work from home’ rule.
No public gathering including social, political, academic, cultural, religious, sports/entertainment will be permitted. For funerals, 20 persons will be allowed to attend.
The nursing officers’ recruitment examination scheduled to be held on August 2 stands postponed till further order.
The DA will review the COVID-19 situation after seven days.
Covid Update: A total of 29 COVID-19 positive cases were admitted in Covid Care Centre and Dedicated Covid Hospital.
At Siluk containment zone, all 590 samples tested through rapid antigen tests have come negative. It may also be mentioned here that all the primary contacts of the positive case (at Shi-Yomi, who is returnee from Pasighat) have been found negative through rapid antigen tests. (DIPRO)